NO more national service, the Christine Keeler sex scandal shaking the Establishment to its very core… with the old order in disarray, no wonder the second wave of youth music would grow into a tsunami, sweeping away everything that lay in its path.

Strictly speaking – from the historical perspective – the miniskirts in the title would not be sashaying down British high streets until late 1965. But otherwise, the early 60s setting of this highly entertaining show is spot on in every respect.

This makes me wonder whether there will be a Dreamboats and Flower Power at some stage, in which case I’ll have to see if that kaftan still fits. That should prove interesting.

Anyway, this sequel to the previous Dreamboats and Petticoats features all our favourite characters, only this time the music is about to undergo the dramatic transformation that would usher in the vocal groups era pioneered by the Beatles.

Previously idolised and emulated by countless teenage lads posing in front of bedroom mirrors with cheap electric guitars, the Shadows were about to be pushed aside by four cheeky lads from the rock ‘n’ roll capital of Liverpool.

Adapted from the book by Laurence Marks and Maurice Gran, this is a tale of relative innocence, youth clubs, table tennis and tinny Dansette record players churning out two-and-a-half minute mini operas in sound.

And in the hands of directors Bill Kenwright and Keith Strachan, this becomes a fabulous nostalgia pamper session for the generation that has quite obviously changed its tune about not wanting to grow old.

For this is essentially old time music hall for the baby boomers. Even before the show started, people were standing up and moving to the piped music, one woman in front becoming decidedly animated to the reverb-drenched guitar of Johnny Kidd’s Shakin’ All Over.

The entire cast are all stars in their own right but particular mention should be made of Alex Beaumont (Bobby), Elizabeth Carter (Laura) and Louise Olley (Sue).

Nevertheless, each and every person on that stage brings their own special handful of glitz, glamour and stardust to scatter along a musical memory lane defined by milestone after musical milestone.

Carole Todd’s choreography speaks volumes for the sounds of the era, while Michael Kantola’s musical direction deftly captures every nuance of a music that, like Peter Pan, simply refuses to age.

Tonal accuracy is everything in a show like this, and each number – from Joe Brown’s opening A Picture of You to the closing When You’re Young and in Love – stays true to the stylistic detail of the genre.

And that’s no mean feat when following a path so well-trodden by an entertainment world obviously still in thrall to an era that – astonishingly - ended more than half a century ago.

Dreamboats and Miniskirts runs until Saturday, October 25, and is a must-see for all who keep the unquenchable spirit of youth in their hearts.